CCA Bulletin 14/10 - Harmonized Sales Tax: What does it mean for the arts?

Just the Facts

In December 2009, the Ontario legislature and the House of Commons and Senate enacted legislation for a harmonized sales tax (HST) to be implemented on July 1, 2010. Bill C-62 received Royal Assent in the House of Commons on December 15, 2009 and laid out the Provincial Choice Tax Framework Act.

This legislation replaces Ontario’s retail sales tax (RST) with the HST. The HST will have a combined sales tax rate of 13% (combining the existing 5% federal goods and services tax (GST) and 8% from Ontario). All businesses currently registered for GST will automatically be registered for the Ontario HST on July 1, 2010. British Columbia is also set to merge its 7% provincial sales tax with the GST on July 1, 2010. (more)

Comment below and let us know what you think about the implementation of HST.

CCA Bulletin 13/10 - Towards a Canadian national digital strategy?

Just the facts

The federal government launched this week a nation-wide consultation, on the development of a national digital strategy. The announcement was made jointly by Ministers Clement (Industry), Moore (Heritage) and Finley (Human Resources and Skills Development) at the Canada 3.0 Conference on digital media.

Minister Moore is quoted as saying that “Our government is committed to ensuring that creators, inventors and entrepreneurs have the incentives to innovate, the confidence to take risks and the tools to succeed. We recognize the important role the digital media and content sector plays in the digital economy, and we intend to develop a long-term plan that will stand the test of time.” (more)

What factors need to be taken into consideration when developing a national digital strategy? What issues matter to you most? Read the rest of our bulletin and post your comments below!